Rope or like tightening device



Aug. 4, 1942. H. E. GASTON 2,291,792

ROPE OR LIKE TIGHTENING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. fi s/vey E. CHs TON Aug. 4, 1942. c s'ro 2,291,792 a ROPE OR LIKE TIGHTENING DEVICE Filed Jan. 25, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. flaw/er CHSTON Aug. 4, 1942. H. E. cAs'roN ROPE 0R LIKE TIGHTENING DEVICE Filed Jan. 23, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TOR.

Patented Aug. 4, 1 942 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

2,291,792 ROPE B. LIKE TIGHTENING DEVICE Henry E. Gaston, Akron, Ohio Application January 23, 1941, Serial No. 375,601

11 Claims.

Y This invention relates to a device for tightening or tensioning rope, wire or the like and particularly relates to a device for tightening a stretch of clothesline.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which requires a minimum of skill to operate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved means thereon for locking it in fixed position onto a stretch of clothesline, for example, after the line has been tightened by the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

A Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved clothesline tightening or tensioning device incorporated in a clothesline pole or prop.

These and other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawings.

Of the accompanying drawings: Figures 1 and 2 are plan views of one form 0 the invention, illustrating initial and final stages, respectively, of the. use thereof for tightening a stretch of clothesline.

Figure 3 is a front edge view of Figure 2.

with, the arms I2 and I3 of the respective members I0 being in oppositely disposed relation sub-' stantially as shown.

The short arms I2 of members lfl may be formed with oppositely disposed hooked ends I2 I2, preferably substantially in planes at right angles to the axis of shank II. The ends of the longer arms I3 may hook outwardly of the device at I3, I3, substantially-in planes at right angles to the respective arms,: the ends of these hooks preferably reversing inwardly to adjacent the inner edges of said arms I3, for purposes which will be understood in the description of the operation of the device. The ends of hooks l3 are shown Figure 4 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention incorporated in a clothesline pole or prop, the device being shown in association with a clothesline in an initial stage of the operation of tightening the same.

Figure 5 is a front view of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an end view, partly broken away, as viewed from the left of Figure 5.

Figures '7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 4 and 5 respectively, but illustrating the device in locked condition on the clothesline after it hasbeen tightened.

Figure 9 is a plan view of another form of the invention, illustrating the same in locked position on a clothesline after it has been tightened.

Figure 10 is a front view of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an end view as viewed from the right of Figure 10.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, there is shown one form of the invention comprising laterally'spaced elongate members ID, ID connected intermediate the ends thereof by a shank I I. The device may be formed, for example, from pieces of heavy wire, or bar iron of suitable crosssection, connected together as by welding. Each member III maycomprise a relatively short arm turned in directions opposite to the ends of the hooks I2, but may be turned in the same relative directions without materially affecting the purpose of the hooks.

One illustrative mode of operation of the device shown in Figures 1 to 3, for the purpose of tightening a stretch of clothesline C, for example, will now be described. First the device is brought up under the slack clothesline so that the shank engages the same, and the line at one side of the shank is then engaged downwardly through the hook portion I2? of one arm I2, as shown in Figure 1. From this initial position the device is turned in clockwise direction with respect to the axis of shank II, as viewed in the relative position of the device shown in Figure 3, this turning movement being substantially in a plane at right angles to said axis. This initial turning movement causes a loop to form in the line around said one arm I2, so that continued clockwise turning of the device will cause the double strands formed by the loop to be wrapped around the shank in the same direction. The arms I2 are relatively short as shown so that with saidv the device the portions of the rope extending in opposite directions from the shank may be engaged around the longer arms I3 and through the hook portions l3 thereof, these hook portions preventing the line from accidentally slipping around the arms I3 to permit unwinding of the device on the clothesline. The ends of hooks Iii I2 and a relatively longer arm I3 coaxial thereextend inwardly substantially to the inner edge from accidentally slipping over said ends of the hooks. In the above manner the clothesline may be wound around the shank of the device until it is under desired tension, when the device may be securely locked on the clothesline, substantially as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The device may be similarly wound on a clothesline in counterclockwise direction by initially applying the shank II on the top of the line and following the procedure described above. but utilizing the oppositively disposed arms and hook portions thereof. In any case the operation of winding the rope C on shank II is greatly facilitated because of the fact that one of the outwardly extending hooked portions l3 of the two oppositely disposed arms I3 may be grasped in each hand, these hooked portions thereby serving as handles for the device.

Referring to the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 4 to 8, the numeral I5 designates .a clothesline pole or prop of the usual type for supporting a clothesline. Rotatably received through the pole l5 adjacent 'an end thereof may be a shank or stem l6 extending at right angles from an elongate member suitable locking plates being secured to opposite sides of the pole for locking the shank I6 against axial movement relative to the pole, but permitting it to rotate. The member I! is in spaced relation to the pole to provide a portion of shank It for winding a clothesline thereon as will be described.

The member I1 is formed with a relatively short arm 20 terminating in a hook portion 20' substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shank, and a relatively longer arm 2| extending in the opposite direction from arm 20 and terminating in a hook-like portion 2| disposed in the same general direction as hook 20*, but extending outwardly of the pole IS in a plane at right angles to arm 2|. The end of hook 2| extends substantially to the inner edge of arm 2| for the purpose described in connection with the hooks l3 in Figures 1 to 3.

In the operation of this device for tightening a length of clothesline C' the pole I5 is manipulated so that the line may be engaged through hook 20 and diagonally across the arm 20 and shank It, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Upon turning the member I! in clockwise direction relative to the pole .(Figure 5) and in a plane about the axis of shank IS, the hook portion 2| being utilized as a handle for arm 2|, the hook 20 will thereupon pull downwardly on the line C' to form a loop around arm 20, substantially as described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 3, continued clockwise rotation of the device about said axis thereby winding the two strands of the loop around the shank Hi. When desired tension is applied to the clothesline, the pole may be manipulated to permit the rope to be engaged about the arm 2| and through the hook 2|, to lock the arm in the relative position shown in Figures 7 and 8 with respect to the clothesline, whereupon the pole may be placed in an upright position on the ground to support the clothesline as desired.

Referring now to Figures 9, 10 and 11, which show another modified form of the invention, the numeral '25 designates a hollow metal casing adapted to be received or secured on the end of the clothes prop 26. .I'he casing 25 is formed with longitudinally extending spaced lugs 21, through which is rotatably mounted a shank 28. and extending from one end of the shank, outportions of the arms I 3 to prevent the clothesline wardly of the casing, maybe an arm 29 formed at its free end with a loop 29" extending substantially in a plane at right angles to said arm. The end of the hook 29 preferably extends to the inner edge of the arm 29 for purposes previously described. Secured on the shank 28 and intermediate lugs 21, to rotate therewith, may be a relatively short hook member 3|) extending in a plane at right angles to the axis of shank.

In the operation of the device just described the hook 30 is first engaged over the stretch of clothesline C". Using hook portion 28 of arm 29 as a handle, said arm may be swung in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 10, to rotate the shank 28 relative to the pole 28, whereby the clothesline will be wound on said shank. As before, when the line is properly tensioned, the pole 26 and arm 29 may be manipulated to engage a portion of the tightened line around the arm 2! and through the hook portion 29, whereby said arm 29 will be locked against rotation relative to the clothesline and the clothespole.

Thus, have been briefly described several modified forms of the device, particularly for tightening clotheslines. It will be readily understood that the devices shown and described may be utilized by other purposes, such as for tightening or tensioning fence wire, or the like.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for tightening rope or the like comprising a shank, a relatively short hook-like element extending from said shank substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof, and a relatively long arm extending from said shank substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof, said long arm having a hook-like portion on the free end thereof.

- 2. A device for tightening'rope or the like comprising a shank, a relatively short arm extending from said shank substantially at right angles to the axis thereof, and a longitudinal arm extending from said shank substantially at right angles to the axis thereof, both of said arms having hook-like portions on the free ends thereof, the hook-like portion of said arm extending laterally of the arm.

3. A device for tightening rope or the like comprising a shank, a relatively short hook-like element extending from said shank substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof, and a longitudinal arm extending from said shank substantially at right angles to the axis thereof, said arm having a hook-like portion on the free end thereof, the hook-like portion of said am comprising a reversely bent extension of the arm laterally thereof on the opposite side of the arm from said shank.

4. A device for tightening rope or the like comprising a longitudinal member, a shank extending laterally from said member intermediate the ends thereof to provide a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, said arms having hooklike portions on the free ends thereof, and means on said shank in spaced relation to said member for retaining a rope or the like wound around said shank between said means and said member.

5. The combination with a clothesline pole, .of a shank rotatably mounted adjacent an end of I said pole, and a longitudinal member connected intermediate its ends to one end of said shank to provide a relatively short arm and a relatively long am. said arms having hook-like extensions on the free ends thereof.

6. The combination with a clothesline pole, of a shank rotatably mounted adjacent an end of said pole, and a longitudinal member connected intermediate its ends to one end of said shank to provide a relatively short arm and a relatively long arm, said arms having hook-like extensions on the free ends thereof, the hook-like portion of said short arm being substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of said shank, the hook-like portion of said long arm extending laterally thereof on the opposite side of said member from the shank.

7. The combination with a clothesline 'pole, of a shank rotatably received through said pole adjacent an end thereof, a relatively short hooklike element extending from said shank substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis thereof, and a relatively long angularly extending arm on the end of said shank, said am having a reversely bent, hook-like portion on the free end thereof extending outwardly of the pole.

8. A clothesline or like tightening device comprising a member for attachment to the end of a clothesline pole. said member having laterally spaced lugs. a shank rotatably mounted between said lugs, a relatively short hook-like. element extending from said shank intermediate said lugs and substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shank, and a relatively long angularly extending arm on an end of said shank, the free end of said am having thereon an angular extension outwardly of said member.

. spaced lugs, a shank rotatably mounted between said lugs, a relatively short hook-like element extending from said shank intermediate said lugs and substantially in a plane at right angles to the axis of the shank, and a relatively long angularly extending arm on an end of said shank, the free end of said am having thereon a reversely bent hook-like portion extending outwardly of said member.

10. A device for tightening rope or the like comprising av pair of laterally spaced longitudinal elements connected intermediate the end of the respective elements by a shank, said shank connecting the respective elements to divide the same into oppositely arranged relatively short arms and relatively longer arms, all of said arms having hook-like portionson the free ends thereof.

11. A device for tightening rope or the like comprising a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal elements connected intermediate the ends of the respective elements by a shank, said shank connecting the respective elements to divide the same into oppositely arranged relatively short arms and relatively longer arms, said short arms having hook-like portions on the free ends thereof extending substantially in planes at right angles to the axis of said shank, said longer arms having reversely bent, hook-like portions extend- 

